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Ruby Jane McDonald Dietz Updated 6/30/2012

She was preceded in death by her husband Harry, her brothers George, James Harper, Andrew, William J, Raymond, Eugene, David (John), Charles, and sister Mable.

She is survived by her daughter Judy DeGarbo and grandchildren Vince (Daniela) DeGarbo; Jeanine (Mike) Ridolfi; and Jennette (Joe) Bonato. She is also survived by seven great grandchildren, 10 great-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

During her early years, like most rural women of the time, she spent much of her day with farming activities and canning the produce from her garden. She had a large flock of Leghorns and she enjoyed making a little “egg money.”

She had a large extended family and she loved entertaining and visiting with them. She was proud to be called “Granny,” “Granny Ruby,” or “Aunt Ruby” by all of the children. She was especially pleased when some or all came for dinner and it was no problem to throw another spud into the pot. Her cooking was exceptional and everyone waited with anticipation for the buns she would prepare for Thanksgiving dinner. Her pies and chocolate cakes were delicious and she enjoyed having her granddaughter’s with her while she taught them to bake. She loved to be outdoors and enjoyed fishing, horseshoes, playing softball with kids and taking walks to the river bottom. She was also at ease with a sewing machine and made many dresses and western shirts for the family.

Besides her domestic duties, she was also a cook for many years at the Hoehne School. If you went through her line and said you didn’t like it, she would reply, “How do you know you don’t like it if you don’t try it!”

After her retirement, she and Harry moved to a home in Hoehne and enjoyed visits with friends and relatives, playing cards with her brothers, gardening, fishing, and being an active part in the lives of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was also an avid reader and particularly enjoyed westerns and a good romance novel.

In 2002, she moved to the Trinidad Nursing Home and stayed active while also making new friends. Even as her memory started to fail, she brought a ray of sunshine to everyone she met. Her family has many wonderful memories of this exceptionally fine lady and she will be deeply missed.